Energy Security Board published issues papers on the National Energy Guarantee

The Energy Security Board has prepared ‘issues papers’ for the jurisdictions and the Technical Working Groups. There is a total of 14 papers covering topics across the implementation of the National Energy Guarantee. They include topics such as emissions registry, treatment of exceptions and forecasting.

The papers have been made publicly available here on the COAG Energy Council website.  Once the jurisdictions and the Technical Working Groups have made more detailed technical working papers, these will be available for public consultation. This is expected to be in mid-June.

If you would like to know more about the National Energy Guarantee, please contact Edge on 07 3905 9220 or 1800 334 336.

Edge attends Gas Energy Australia 2018 National Forum

Edge attended the Gas Energy Australia 2018 National Forum held at the Gold Coast on 17 and 18 May 2018.

There were a number of prominent speakers at the forum including Senator Canavan, the Commonwealth Minister for Resources and Northern Australia; Tony Wood, Energy Policy Director at the Grattan Institute as well as Ian Macfarlane from the Queensland Resources Council.

Senator Canavan highlighted the improvement in the gas prices during the first four months of 2018 compared to the same period in 2017. He attributed part of the 24% reduction in prices at the Wallumbilla gas hub to the conversations the Federal Government had with key gas producers last year and the potential for a domestic reserve policy being enacted. The Senator also highlighted some of the challenges in communicating the value of having gas being produced right across Australia. He noted that it costs around $2.00/GJ to transport gas from Queensland to Victoria and only between $2.50/GJ and $3.00/GJ to transport gas from Queensland to Japan. The Senator had praise for the Northern Territory Government for allowing more exploration. The is a potential for 1 billion barrels of oil to be extracted in the Northern Territory which would alleviate some of the energy security issues that Australia is facing.

The Senator also spoke about some of the issues in the electricity market. He confirmed that the current renewable energy target would be closed off to new participants starting after 1 January 2021. He described the renewable energy target as one of the worse policies ever.

Tony Wood of the Grattan Institute agreed that the cost of the renewable energy target did not justify the carbon reduction. He also reflected that energy policy would continue to be political and it was up to industry to drive it forward.

Ian Macfarlane agreed with previous speakers on the renewable energy target. He described having to implement the original scheme as a “hospital pass” handed down from previous ministers. He also went on to talk about the importance of the gas industry and how the industry needs to be better at engaging the wider population. He mentioned the importance of countering the rhetoric from activists trying to stop the industry growing particularly on social media where the gas industry historically was underperforming.

If you would like to know more about the outcomes of the forum, please contact Edge on 07 3905 9220 or 1800 334 336.

Edge presents firming options at the Gas Energy Australia 2018 National Forum

Edge presented at the Gas Energy Australia 2018 National Forum which was held on the Gold Coast on 17 and 18 May 2018. The presentation was aimed at showing the opportunities the changes in the current electricity market held for gas producers. As the electricity market continues to adopt more renewable energy, there is an opportunity to firm this energy by supplying power when the relevant renewable source is not operating.

With an increasing demand for firmed renewable products this is a perfect time for gas producers to consider power generation in support of the renewable industry. It is possible to partner up and deliver the types of products that consumers want, and retailers are able to pass through.

If you would like to know more please contact Edge on 07 3905 9220 or 1800 334 336.

Edge presents at the GEA 2018 National Forum on the Gold Coast

Edge has been invited to present at the Gas Energy Australia 2018 National Forum, which is being held over the next two days on the Gold Coast. The forum seeks to provide important insights and new learnings across a range of industry relevant issues including policy, innovation, supply and security of Gas within Australia.

Gas Energy Australia is the national peak body which represents the bulk of the downstream gaseous fuels industry which covers Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG).  The industry comprises major companies and small to medium businesses in the gaseous fuels supply chain – refiners and supplies, fuel marketers, vehicle and equipment manufacturers, vehicle converters, consultants and other providers of services to the industry.

Thomas Dargue, our Manager of Markets and Advisory, will be presenting on innovative distributed energy solutions and gaseous fuels highlighting some of the opportunities that the change in the National Electricity Market could bring to gas producers.

If you would like to know more about Australian gas or discuss what changes are on the horizon in the gas market both short and longer term, please contact Edge on 07 3905 9220 or 1800 334 336.

Federal Opposition commits to 50% renewable by 2030

Penny Wong, Labor’s foreign affairs spokeswoman has told an emissions summit today that if elected, Labor’s emission target would be a 45% reduction on 2005 levels. The current target under the Coalition is 26% on 2005 levels.

Labor has also committed to a target of 50% of energy to be renewable by 2030. Currently, the Coalition is committed to 23.5% by 2020 through the RET scheme. Senator Wong advised that whilst her party has reservations on the National Energy Guarantee they would build on the Guarantee if possible rather than replace it.

The comments from Senator Wong carry significant weight as the potentially large increase in the renewable energy target will require further investment. At this stage, the next federal election is expected to occur in 2019. Technically an election will not have to take place until November 2019 however norm dictate that it is held with the senate election which must be held no later than 18 May 2019.

Edge note that the current renewable generation target only captures renewables constructed after 2001 and therefore does not include Snowy Hydro. From the comments today it is unclear if the Labor party plan to use the same basis for measurement.

If you would like to speak with an energy expert regarding your electricity portfolio, please contact Edge on (07) 3905 9220 or 1800 334 336.